1980 Topps Star Wars The Empire Strikes Back Series 3 Trading Cards

Product Details

After a pair of huge trading card sets, 1980 Topps Star Wars The Empire Strikes Back Series 3 scaled back a little.

A bookend to the blockbuster's initial release, the smaller set is still filled with an eclectic mix of card types and styles.

In fact, for many collectors, it can be the most memorable series.

See also: 1980 Topps Star Wars The Empire Strikes Back Series 2

1980 Topps Star Wars The Empire Strikes Back Series 3 Set Details

The 88-card base set starts with a title card before moving into a subset of 16 character cards. Rather than traditional photos, these character cards use drawings cast against a single-color background.

Story synopsis cards follow with more images and captions. Both the story and character cards feature movie quotes on the card backs.

1980 Topps Star Wars The Empire Strikes Back Series 3 finishes with a series of "Space Paintings" by the legendary Ralph McQuarrie, a handful of behind-the-scenes cards and one checklist.

While all the cards feature The Empire Strikes Back, Series 3 can be easily separated from the other two sets. All base cards have a yellow/gold outer border that wasn't used in either of the first sets.

The Stickers insert set is also smaller in 1980 Topps Star Wars The Empire Strikes Back Series 3. After having two sets with 33 stickers each, this one is cut back to 22. All are alphabet stickers, similar to those used in the first two sets, but with a green border.

Sticker backs can be used to make one of two puzzles. One puzzle forms the Millennium Falcon in a space chase, while the second showcases Yoda.